Marquess of Blandford jailed for road rage

The Marquess of Blandford was jailed for six months yesterday for a series of motoring offences, including a "road rage" attack on another driver.

Jamie Blandford, 51, eldest son of the Duke of Marlborough and heir to the Blenheim Palace estate, who has a history of offending and drug taking, kicked the door of a car and swore at its driver, Oxford Crown Court was told.

He was banned from driving for three-and-a-half years as well as being jailed after pleading guilty to two counts of dangerous driving, careless driving and criminal damage.

Appearing under the full name of Charles James Spencer-Churchill, he heard his defence barrister, Peter Binder, describe him as a "highly complex and vulnerable individual" who was suffering from depressive illness, severe stress and anxiety at the time of the offences.

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The court heard that police saw Blandford, of Wootton Downs, Oxon, weaving in and out of lanes on the M42 in June last year. On another occasion, he caused Graeme Kennedy to swerve to a halt on the A4095 in Oxfordshire. Blandford swore and shouted at Mr Kennedy before kicking one of his doors.

Blandford was found guilty of dangerous driving and admitted the other offences at earlier hearings.